Located along the stunning sunny South Shore of Kauai, the Poipu area offers a ton of things to see and do from postcard-perfect stretches of sand to heart-pounding adventures. Those who stay here will also have easy access to a wealth of shopping and dining opportunities as well as one of the best beaches on Kauai. To ensure the most stress-free, fun, and relaxing vacation, base yourself at one of these top hotels and resorts that will put you in the heart of it all.
Ko’a Kea Resort on Poipu Beach
One of the most beautiful hotels in Kauai, Ko’a Kea Resort on Poipu Beach is a boutique property that’s been named the best in Hawaii by Travel + Leisure. It sits right on a beach that’s ideal for snorkeling with beaches nearby for swimming and outstanding surfing. Take advantage of the on-site beach activity center that offers lessons and rentals, enjoy lounging around the saltwater pool, and indulge in spa treatments in an oceanfront spa cabana. There are complimentary seaside yoga classes and outdoor fitness classes, along with delicious dining on fresh seafood at the Red Salt restaurant.
Key Amenities:
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Beach activity center offering lessons and rentals
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Home to a saltwater pool, seafood restaurant, and on-site spa with an oceanfront spa cabana for treatments
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Complimentary seaside yoga and outdoor fitness classes
Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu
The luxurious Koloa Landing Resort offers some of the largest villa-style rooms on the island, with everything from 1,300-square-foot one-bedroom apartments to huge four-bedroom penthouses with 3,600 square feet of living space. All come with expansive private lanais and full kitchens. The downside is that it’s not on the beach, but you can reach a swimmable stretch with a 10-minute walk. The gorgeous grounds include a 13,000-square-foot lagoon pool with waterslides and a poolside bar and grill plus two other pools. Perfect for a couples getaway, there’s a spa offering specialized Hawaiian treatments like a Pohaku warm stone ritual and a Lomi Lomi massage along with a fitness center that offers both cardio and weight training equipment.
Key Amenities:
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Villa-style rooms and penthouses with private lanais and full kitchens
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Multiple pools, including a 13,000-square-foot lagoon pool with waterslides and a poolside bar and grill
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On-site spa offering Hawaiian treatments, like a Pohaku warm stone ritual and Lomi Lomi massage
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Access to a fully-equipped fitness center with both cardio and weight training equipment
Sheraton Kauai Resort - Koloa
Set across 20 acres, the Sheraton Kauai Resort sits along beautiful Poipu Beach, a stretch that’s long enough to please everyone from tiny tots who want to splash around to those who want to learn to surf. There’s a beach activity center offering water sports rentals and beach gear, while daily activities include everything from surf lessons and lei-making to cultural workshops and hula lessons. Enjoy beachfront dining at Lava’s on Poipu Beach and RumFire Poipu Beach along with a decadent spa and two freshwater pools, including one of the coolest hotel pools in Hawaii. All rooms come with private lanais but for the best ocean view, book one of the deluxe oceanfront rooms in the Ocean or Beach wings.
Key Amenities:
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Beach activity center with water sports rentals and beach gear
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Daily activities, including surf lessons, lei making, hula lessons, and more
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Home to multiple restaurants, a spa, and a couple of freshwater pools
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Private lanais off every room
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
Often named among Hawaii’s best luxury resorts, the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa enjoys a beachfront location with striking white sands while the calm waters and outstanding snorkeling conditions at Poipu Beach are just a five-minute drive away. Golf enthusiasts will appreciate having the award-winning Poipu Bay Golf Course right across the street. There are three amazing pools, a massive saltwater lagoon, a renowned spa, and a long list of dining options right on-site. Families with children can take advantage of one of the island’s best kids’ clubs, Camp Hyatt, plus there are luaus hosted twice a week. The spacious rooms start at 500 square feet and all include large private lanais, flat-screen TVs, single-cup coffeemakers with Kauai coffee, minifridges, and iHomes.
Key Amenities:
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Easy access to the award-winning Poipu Bay Golf Resort
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Rooms feature private lanais, single-cup coffeemakers, minifridges, and iHomes
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Home to a spa, kids’ club, multiple pools, and a long list of dining options
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Luaus hosted twice a week
Marriott's Waiohai Beach Club
One of the best Marriott hotels in Hawaii, Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club is a time-share property but you don’t have to own one to book a condo-like villa here. Each unit is a two-bedroom, two-bath that can accommodate up to eight guests, with features like full kitchens, separate dining and living areas, washer/dryers, and lanais with ocean or island views. There are three pools, one with waterfalls, a quiet relaxation pool, and a children’s pool by the beach where you’ll find a reef break that results in powerful waves for experienced surfers while a cove and sandbar create a shallow pool with calm waters. While dining options are limited to a poolside grill open for lunch and a deli/convenience store, there are plenty of eateries nearby. A 24-hour fitness center is on-site and massages can be enjoyed outside cabanas or in-room.
Key Amenities:
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Condo-like two-bedroom, two-bath villas with full kitchens, washer/dryers, and lanais
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Multiple pools, including a children’s pool by the beach and a quiet relaxation pool
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Home to a poolside grill, convenience store, 24-hour fitness center
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Cabana and in-room massage services are available
Marriott Vacation Club, 2249 Poipu Rd, Koloa, HI 96756, USA— +1 808-742-4400
Hilton Vacation Club The Point at Poipu Kauai
A condo resort with two-bedroom suites, Hilton Vacation Club The Point at Poipu Kauai is an affordable option along a rocky stretch of coastline about a mile from Poipu’s best beaches. Poipu Beach for swimming, snorkeling, and beginner surfing is a five-minute drive or 15-minute walk away. The condos all include TVs with DVD players and in-room movies, full kitchens, and washer/dryers with a variety of views available, including garden, and partial and full ocean views. On the grounds, you’ll find a large pool with a sandy bottom area for the kids and a poolside bar, a well-equipped fitness room, playground, and a dive shop that offers free scuba lessons daily.
Key Amenities:
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Accommodation in two-bedroom suites with full kitchens, washer/dryers, DVD players, and in-room movies
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Access to a well-equipped fitness center, playground, and sandy bottom pool with a poolside bar
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Home to a dive shop that offers daily scuba lessons for free
The Lodge at Kukui’ula
The Lodge at Kukui’ula is a luxury 5-star resort made up of private bungalows, villas, and cottages, all of which provide exclusive access to The Club at Kukui’ula with its full-service spa and wellness center, restaurants, saltwater pools, a kids’ club, private golf course, and an on-site adventure guide and outfitter, the Lodge at Kukui’ula is sure to impress. A haven for barefoot luxuries, you’ll have all you need right here for an unforgettable Kauai vacation. All accommodation includes full kitchens, large lanais, grills, and spa-inspired bathrooms with free-standing soaking tubs.
Key Amenities:
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Rooms feature full kitchens, lanais, grills, and spa-inspired bathrooms with soaking tubs
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Access to multiple saltwater pools and an on-site adventure guide and outfitter
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Home to a private golf course, kids’ club, multiple restaurants, and a full-service spa and wellness center
Aston at Poipu Kai
A quiet complex that offers a more budget-friendly option, Aston at Poipu Kai is ideal for those who just want a comfortable base for exploring the island. It’s made up of condos with full kitchens, huge balconies or patios, PlayStation 3 Blu-Ray consoles, and one to four bedrooms. Two swimmable beaches can be reached within a 15-minute walk and you’ll find three small pool areas on-site.
Key Amenities:
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Accommodation in one- to four-bedroom condos with full kitchens, balconies or patios, and PlayStation 3 Blu-Ray consoles
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Multiple pool areas. on-site
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Within a 15 minute walk of two swimmable beaches
1465 Pe'e Road, 1775 Poipu Rd, Koloa, HI 96756, USA— +1 808-742-7424
The Villas at Poipu Kai
A high-end condo complex, The Villas at Poipu Kai is one of the most luxurious condo-style properties in the area, featuring very spacious three- and four-bedroom villas that include stylish Tommy Bahama furniture, Hawaiian decor, and plantation-style kitchens with KitchenAid and Subzero appliances. Enjoy multiple flat-screen TVs, high-capacity washer/dryers, and travertine bathrooms, some with separate soaking tubs. There’s a pool in the middle of the half-dozen buildings with a hot tub, while Poipu and Brennecke beaches can be reached within a 15-minute walk. It’s aimed at those who prefer a more self-catering kind of experience with no on-site dining or spa services but you will find grills for cookouts.
Key Amenities:
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Three- and four-bedroom villas with plantation-style kitchens, Tommy Bahama furniture, and travertine bathrooms
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Swimming pool and hot tub on-site and the beach a short 15-minute walk away
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Access to grills for cookouts
Timbers Kaua‘i Ocean Club & Residences
One of the best boutique hotels in Kauai, Timbers Kaua‘i is a bit farther from Poipu, closer to the Lihue Airport, but it’s easy to reach the area thanks to the on-site Adventure Guides who will be happy to arrange a tour for exploring the south shore, including snorkeling excursions at Poipu Beach for the chance to spot a humuhumunukunukuapua’a, the state fish. It boasts the longest stretch of oceanfront golfing you’ll find in the Hawaiian islands and accommodation in one- to four-bedroom private residences. All take advantage of the incredible ocean and mountain views while the two-tiered infinity pool is sure to take your breath away. Enjoy ancient healing traditions using the bounty of island botanicals at the Spa at Timbers Kauai and dishes made with fresh field-to-table ingredients, thanks to the on-site Farm at Hokuala.
Key Amenities:
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Accommodation in one- to four-bedroom private residences
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Access to Adventure Guides for arranging tours and excursions
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Home to a two-tiered infinity pool and a farm that supplies the ingredients at the on-site restaurant
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On-site spa with a menu of botanical treatments inspired by ancient healing traditions
Makahuena at Poipu
An oceanfront condo complex, Makahuena at Poipu offers easy access to Poipu beaches as well as the magnificent sands at Shipwrecks and Brennecke beaches. Here you’ll enjoy the comforts of home and resort-like amenities, including a pool, jetted spa, sun deck, tennis courts, and BBQ grills. The one- and two-bedroom condo suites are all on the oceanfront and feature private furnished lanais, full kitchens with dishwashers and coffeemakers, cable TV, DVD players, free Wi-Fi, and washer/dryers.
Key Amenities:
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Swimming pool with jetted spa and sun deck
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Access to tennis courts, BBQ grills, and several Poipu beaches
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Accommodation in oceanfront one- and two-bedroom condo suites with furnished lanais, full kitchens, and washer/dryers
Whalers Cove Oceanfront Resort
Whalers Cove is a small oceanfront complex made up of incredibly spacious one-, two-, and three-bedroom luxury condos featuring 1,400 to 2,000 square feet of living space, all come with private balconies and ocean views, full kitchens, washer/dryers, and flat-screen TVs with DVD players. It offers an intimate, luxurious experience that feels more like a residential stay with the closest beach Kiahuna, a three-minute drive away. While amenities are at a minimum, it does include a beautiful heated pool and Jacuzzi.
Key Amenities:
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Accommodation in one-, two-, and three-bedroom luxury condos
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All rooms feature private balconies, full kitchens, and washer/dryers
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On-site heated pool and Jacuzzi
